Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on December 6, 2022, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The meeting addressed two primary agenda items, including an informational presentation from the Lexington Public Library Foundation and a formal recognition of the Frederick Douglass High School Football Team, which received approval from the council. During the proceedings, the council conducted two official votes and heard from two members of the public during the public comment period. The session focused on both community recognition and informational updates, reflecting the council's engagement with local educational institutions and public services.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the December 6, 2022 meeting:

Present: • Mayor Gorton • Lamb • LeGris • McCurn • Plomin • Reynolds • Sheehan • Worley • Elliott Baxter • Bledsoe • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Kay • Kloiber

Absent: • Moloney

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 15 members were present, with 1 member absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two items during the December 6, 2022 meeting.

Ordinance 1178-22 5:00 The council voted on an ordinance changing the zoning from Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4) to Light Industrial (I-1) for property located at 101 and 109 W. Loudon Avenue. Council member Ellinger made the motion, seconded by Kay. The ordinance passed unanimously with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays. All council members present voted in favor: Lamb, LeGris, McCurn, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Elliott Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, and Kloiber.

Resolution 1188-22 9:00 The council considered a resolution authorizing the Division of Police to purchase an Automatic License Plate Reader Program from Flock Group Inc. Kay made the motion, with Ellinger providing the second. This resolution passed by a narrower margin with 10 ayes and 4 nays in the roll call vote.

Council members voting in favor were: Lamb, McCurn, Plomin, Sheehan, Worley, Elliott Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

Council members voting against were: LeGris, Reynolds, Kay, and Kloiber.

Notably, Kay voted against the resolution despite making the initial motion to consider it.

Both items required roll call votes, with all 14 council members participating in each vote. The zoning change received unanimous support, while the police technology purchase generated more debate and division among council members.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed one significant financial action requiring council approval.

Resolution 1188-22 authorized the purchase of an Automatic License Plate Reader Program for $236,250 from Flock Group Inc. This technology acquisition represents a substantial investment in law enforcement infrastructure and surveillance capabilities for the municipality.

The resolution covers the procurement of automatic license plate reading equipment and associated services from Flock Group Inc., a vendor specializing in public safety technology solutions. The $236,250 expenditure will fund the implementation of the license plate reader system, which typically includes hardware installation, software licensing, and related support services.

This purchase represents the only major financial action considered during the December 6, 2022 meeting, indicating a focused agenda on this specific technology investment for public safety operations.

Public Comment

Two community members addressed the council during the public comment period.

Joe Markham 2:00 spoke in opposition to the proposed Tenant's Bill of Rights. Markham argued that the legislation would have unintended consequences, making housing less affordable in the community.

Frank Harris 3:00 raised concerns about the License Plate Reader Program. Harris expressed worry about the lack of proper evaluation of the program and questioned whether it might become a permanent fixture without adequate oversight or review processes.

Both speakers focused on policy matters currently under consideration by the council, with Markham addressing housing policy and Harris focusing on public safety technology implementation.

Appointments

The meeting included two appointments to local boards and commissions.

New Appointments: • Janet Beard was appointed to the Affordable Housing Governing Board

Reappointments: • Linda Gorton was reappointed to the Agricultural Extension District Board

These appointments represent the ongoing effort to maintain proper representation and governance across various municipal boards and commissions that serve the community.

Contested Items

The December 6, 2022 meeting featured two significant contested items that generated debate among council members and community input.

Automatic License Plate Reader Program

The council voted on a resolution to purchase an Automatic License Plate Reader Program, which passed with a 10-4 vote. This split decision revealed a clear division among council members regarding the implementation of this surveillance technology. The narrow margin suggests substantial concerns were raised by the four dissenting members, though the specific nature of their objections and the arguments presented by supporters are not detailed in the available records.

Tenant's Bill of Rights

A proposed Tenant's Bill of Rights generated significant community engagement, with residents speaking both in favor of and against the measure during the public comment period. This item highlighted divisions within the community regarding tenant protections and landlord rights. The contentious nature of this proposal was evident from the mixed public testimony, suggesting the legislation addresses complex housing issues that affect various stakeholder groups differently. The outcome of any vote on this item is not specified in the available meeting data.

Both contested items reflect broader policy debates common in municipal governance - balancing public safety technology with privacy concerns in the case of the license plate readers, and addressing housing affordability and tenant protections in the case of the tenant rights legislation. The community opposition and council division on these matters demonstrate the challenging nature of these policy decisions for local government.

Lexington Public Library Foundation Presentation

1:00

The Lexington Public Library Foundation presented agenda item 1269-22 to recognize the City Council for their ongoing support in honor of National Philanthropy Day. The presentation was delivered by Anne Gay Donworth and Heather Dieffenbach representing the Foundation.

The Foundation used this opportunity to formally acknowledge the Council's contributions to the library system and express appreciation for their continued partnership. The presentation served as an informational item, highlighting the collaborative relationship between the municipal government and the library foundation in supporting public library services in Lexington.

This recognition aligns with National Philanthropy Day, which celebrates charitable giving and volunteerism. The Foundation's acknowledgment of the Council demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships in maintaining and enhancing library services for the community.

No formal action was required from the Council as this was purely a recognition presentation. The item concluded with the Foundation's expression of gratitude for the Council's ongoing support of library initiatives and programs.

Recognition of Frederick Douglass High School Football Team

1:30

The Council recognized the Frederick Douglass High School Football Team for their outstanding achievement in winning the state championship. This recognition was presented as agenda item 1285-22, a proclamation honoring the team's success.

Mayor Gorton and Nathan McPeek served as the key speakers for this recognition ceremony. The proclamation celebrated the football team's championship victory, acknowledging their hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance throughout the season that culminated in capturing the state title.

The recognition was approved by the Council, formally honoring Frederick Douglass High School's football program and the student-athletes who contributed to this significant accomplishment. This type of proclamation serves to highlight the achievements of local educational institutions and their students in the community.

The agenda item proceeded without recorded debate or concerns, reflecting the ceremonial and celebratory nature of recognizing the championship team's success.